MIAMI, FL – Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 – Chapman Partnership named the Miami HEAT as the winner of its prestigious R. Ray Goode Award for being instrumental inleading the challenge of helping the homeless throughout Miami-Dade County. Chapman Partnership also named St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church and Ruth Owens Kruse Educational Center as Volunteers of the Year.
“We honor all 18,000-plus volunteers and their tireless commitment to helping and empowering the lives of our homeless neighbors throughout Miami-Dade County,”said Trish Bell, chairman of the Chapman Partnership board of directors, at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held May 2 at Coral Gables Country Club.
“This year we recognize the volunteers at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church and Ruth Owens Kruse Educational Centeras Chapman Partnership’s Volunteers of the Year for their continued dedication and commitment,” Bell said.
“With the R. Ray Goode Award we recognize the corporate leadership and off-court dedication of the Miami HEAT players, their families and the entire HEAT organization,” said H. Daniel Vincent, president & CEO Chapman Partnership.
R. Ray Goode Award: Miami HEAT
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving the South Florida community, the Miami HEAT joined a host of dignitaries to unveil the renovation of its 11th HEAT Learn & Play Center at Chapman Partnership North on March 11, 2013. The renovations included enhancing the room with new paint, wall graphics, Apple iPad minis and furniture.
HEAT players Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem and their families have hosted other events at Chapman, including Thanksgiving Day celebration and Easter.
The R. Ray Goode Award is given to an individual or corporation in Miami-Dade County that has been instrumental in leading the challenge of helping homeless men, women and children in our community. Ray Goode was compassionate and dedicated to helping improve the quality of life as shown throughout his career and with his personal commitments to the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Orange Bowl, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, University of Miami and Chapman Partnership.
“Mr. Goode was dedicated to improving the lives of the least, the last and the lost. Through this award, Chapman Partnership honors the Miami HEAT, which follows the moral and civic example of Ray Goode in serving the homeless,” Vincent said.
Volunteer of the Year–Chapman Partnership South: Ruth Owens Kruse Educational Center
Every Friday during the school year since December 2007, a group of 10-15 students with emotional behavioral disabilities from the Ruth Owens Kruse Educational Center have volunteered and assisted the kitchen staff in preparing and serving lunch at Chapman Partnership South in Homestead.
“Over the years hundreds of students have come here and we thank their leader, Peggy Slot, for the guidance and love she continues to give to these youth as they learn and volunteer at Chapman Partnership’s South Center every week,” said Sharon Haxton, Community Outreach Coordinator.
Volunteer of the Year–Chapman Partnership North: St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church
The Social Outreach Committee of St. Philip’s volunteered at its very first dinner in 1996 at Chapman Partnership North, located in downtown Miami. Since then the church has prepared and served 194 meals with 1,895 different volunteers. For the last several years, St. Phillip’s sent a team of volunteers to the center on Thanksgiving mornings to help prepare the evening dinner.
“We thankRector Maribeth Conroy,group leader John Dickson and the thousands of volunteers from St. Phillip’s for 16 years of continued and dedicated service to Chapman Partnership. We look forward to the church serving its 200th meal this October,” said Kenisha Brown-Alexander, volunteer specialist at Chapman Partnership.
About Chapman Partnership
Chapman Partnership operates two Homeless Assistance Centers with 800 beds located in Miami and Homestead. We help the homeless by providing a comprehensive support program that includes emergency shelter, meals, health, dental and psychiatric care, day care, job training, job placement and assistance with securing stable housing. At Chapman Partnership we empower homeless men, women and children to build a positive future by providing the resources and assistance critical to growth and independence. To learn more about Chapman Partnership, please visit chapmanpartnership.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Contact: Melissa Lichtenheld
Wragg & Casas Public Relations
305-372-1234
mlichtenheld@wragcasas.com
*Impact numbers are updated at the beginning of each fiscal year and will be updated annually.
As the private sector partner of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Chapman Partnership is another step in the continuum of care. Any person or family who is homeless, about to be homeless, or assisting someone facing homelessness, and requiring emergency assistance must first contact the Homeless Helpline administered by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust. Homeless Helpline Toll Free Number: 1-877-994-HELP (4357).
